Lyons man sentenced to prison after attempted assault on his child

A Lyons man is going to prison after pleading guilty in Ionia County 8th Circuit Court to charges stemming from the sexual assault of his then 5-year-old child.

Christopher Ralston, 42, of Lyons was sentenced in one count of attempted criminal sexual conduct in the third degree (incest) and one count of attempted assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder. The charges stem from a series of incidents in 2002 and 2003.

Ralston will serve two terms of 23 to 60 months in prison, to be served concurrently; plus fines, cost and fees. He received credit for 86 days served in the Ionia County Jail. Ralston also must register on the state's sex offender list. Two other charges were dismissed pursuant to the plea agreement.

"I hope you read the statement of your daughter that describes how your behavior has impacted her life," Chief Judge Suzanne Hoseth Kreeger said to Ralston at sentencing.

A statement by the victim was presented in writing to Kreeger, which Ionia County Prosecutor Ron Schafer described as "heartbreaking and a testimony to the character of the person standing before you."

Judge sends Ionia man to prison for domestic violence

Frank Ward II, 47, of Ionia was sentenced to 13 to 16 months in prison; plus fines, costs and fees; on one account of domestic violence, with a third offense notice. The charge stems from the February assault on his girlfriend, Samantha Hunter, and her son. A second charge was dismissed pursuant to a plea agreement.

Domestic violence is a misdemeanor that carries up to 93 days and/or a $500 fine, but a third offense enhances it to a felony carrying up to two years in prison and/or a $2,500 fine.

Ward's attorney, Tony Snyder, asked Kreeger to consider a sentence of 12 months in jail, where Ward could get treatment "to get him off the track he's on."

Kreeger called the behavior leading to Ward's arrest "unacceptable," and said it appeared to be "classic domestic violence."

"You have been given multiple opportunities to get it together but you haven't before now," she said, pointing to his "extensive criminal history" with four prior assaultive crimes and a stint in prison. "It appears to me that you need a prison sentence."

In other circuit court business, Gary Copeland, 40, of Fenwick pleaded guilty at his arraignment to one count of attempted operating and maintaining a methamphetamine lab, which carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of $12,500. He was arrested Aug. 14 in Otisco Township with items in his possession used to manufacture meth.